Israel election: Benjamin Netanyahu to focus on domestic issues

Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to prioritise domestic socio-economic issues, a day after his party won the most seats in the Israeli election.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister

3:24PM GMT 23 Jan 2013

In a brief broadcast address in which he made no mention of pressing diplomatic issues, such as the frozen peace talks with the Palestinians, he said the public had delivered a "clear message".

"The Israeli public wants me ... to put together a government which will include three big changes internally: a greater sharing of the burden (of military service), affordable housing and changes in the system of government," he said.

Mr Netanyahu, whose right wing Likud ran on a joint slate with the hardline nationalist Yisrael Beitenu of former Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, won a narrow victory with 31 seats, and he has pledged to put together the "broadest possible government."

"I come from ongoing talks with my partner Lieberman. We agreed that in addition to a responsible security and diplomatic policy, we will focus the talks on putting together a government along these three principles," he said.

"We want to form a government which is as broad as possible which will bring about these changes for the people of Israel."

In his victory speech on Tuesday night, Mr Netanyahu said the first challenge facing the new government would be "to prevent a nuclear Iran."

The government's other priorities would be largely internal: stabilising the economy, a more egalitarian military service, reducing the cost of living and seeking peace with the Palestinians, he said.

Mr Netanyahu is likely to retain his job, though it is not a certainty because of the draw between Israel's hawkish and centre-left camps. Such a result means he is likely to bring moderate parties in a new coalition.